Frederik Hammes, who stepped into the role of managing director of Gamescom Dev after Stephan Reichart earlier this year, points to the latest Gamescom Dev speaker survey as evidence that the most promising segment of today’s gaming market lies with smaller development studios. Hammes explains that even though a compact team can accomplish a great deal, the necessity of handling business operations does not disappear. "You can achieve more with a lean team, yet business responsibilities remain essential," he told GamesIndustry.biz.
"Even if you’re a three‑person outfit, someone still has to manage contracts, finances, and partnerships. I like to think of Gamescom Dev as a one‑stop hub where creators can access production expertise, programming know‑how, creative direction, design insights, and also learn the fundamentals of running a studio.
Despite rapid advances in technology, the business side remains crucial to long‑term success." The event, which was rebranded from Devcom to Gamescom Dev in August 2025, now effectively extends the main Gamescom festival into a full week of industry‑focused programming. Hammes believes that aligning the two events offers clear advantages for attendees and partners alike. "The case for bringing Gamescom Dev closer to Gamescom is compelling," he said. "We now have a strong, well‑known partner, and that brings many practical benefits.
Previously, there were two separate conferences, two ticketing systems, and little synergy between them. Today it’s a single ticket portal: you buy one pass and you have access to everything from Monday through Friday, the entire Gamescom business week.
It simplifies logistics and makes the experience more cohesive for visitors." This year’s edition features an ambitious lineup: 390 speakers delivering 220 sessions across 17 stages. Hammes cautions, however, that success should not be measured purely by numbers. "It shouldn’t be a numbers game," he emphasized.
"We’re not chasing arbitrary targets; it’s about matching supply with demand. The market is becoming more specialised, and we aim to serve those niches rather than simply inflating the schedule." A practical limitation for the event is its current venue, the Confex Center at Koelnmesse.
While the space comfortably accommodates the present programme, Hammes notes that there is "limited room to grow". Should the industry continue its rapid expansion, the organisers may need to consider a larger site or a tighter integration with the main Gamescom grounds. "Our immediate plan isn’t to dramatically increase the size of Gamescom Dev," he explained. "A larger footprint would inevitably require us to move physically closer to Gamescom, which is a possibility we’re keeping under review.
If the democratization of game development continues—more indie teams, more micro‑studios—we’ll eventually need more capacity to host everyone." Gamescom Dev originated in 2017 as a response to the disappearance of the GDC Europe conference, filling a gap for European developers seeking a dedicated showcase. While the San Francisco‑based Game Developers Conference (GDC) shares a similar audience and agenda, Hammes does not view it as a direct competitor. Instead, he highlights a sense of camaraderie that exists behind the scenes. "We’re separate organisations, each with our own goals, but there’s a genuine community spirit," he said.
"Everyone wants to be profitable, yet the atmosphere isn’t cut‑throat. The industry is like a global circus—people travel from one conference to another, learning and sharing. It’s not about eliminating rivals; it’s about everyone thriving together.
Our colleagues at GDC are currently facing challenges due to the environment they operate in, and we hope those issues improve soon. When all conferences succeed, the whole ecosystem benefits." A noteworthy addition to this year’s schedule is the introduction of Leadership Summits. These one‑day, invitation‑only gatherings provide senior executives a private environment—no press, no microphones, no recordings—to discuss the turbulent market conditions openly.
"It’s less about listening and more about speaking up and exchanging ideas," Hammes explained. "During the inaugural summit, we asked participants to raise their hands if they had delivered bad news to their teams that year; every hand went up. When we asked who had received bad news, the same result. The current climate is undeniably tough, and leaders often feel pressure to project confidence.
By offering a safe space, we encourage honest dialogue that can lead to better decision‑making." The speaker survey also revealed a split opinion on artificial intelligence. While 47 % of speakers believe AI will be the most transformative development for the industry over the next three years, only 11 % consider AI literacy the top skill developers need to acquire. "How do we reconcile that?
It could mean we’re over‑estimating AI’s impact or under‑preparing for it," Hammes reflected. "In reality, the most critical skill isn’t technical at all—it’s leadership. 27 % of respondents named leadership as the key competency. That tells us we recognise change is coming, but we’re not looking for a technological silver bullet.
We need leaders who can guide teams through uncertainty, set clear visions, and foster adaptability." Overall, Hammes envisions Gamescom Dev as a catalyst for smaller studios to flourish, offering them both the technical knowledge and the business acumen required to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape. By keeping the event focused on specialised content, fostering community ties, and providing safe spaces for candid conversation, Gamescom Dev aims to support the next wave of innovative creators who are reshaping the gaming world.